Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Driving, driving, driving.
I would like to take a minute to thank technology. Without it, this trip would have happened, but wouldn't have been as comfortable. J and I laid head to toe in the back of Richard Hughes, our trusty vehicle and now shelter, which was parked in the Motel 6 parking lot (because it seemed safer than parking at a dark, empty rest area overnight).

It was difficult to believe just 14 hours ago we were enjoying Lake Tahoe: blue waters and matching mountians listening to Obama tell kids to stay in school. We left the lake around 11am, programmed the GPS, turned on the XM Satellite Radio, plugged in our cell phones to charge, adjusted the electronic

pedals which move forward and back (very handy when you are 4'11'' and your co-pilot is 6'4''),
placed the digital camera in place just case we drove by the must-not-miss shot, and reminded each other to pick up another DVD to watch in the van later when we finally park for the night.
Our goal was to make it to Salt Lake City by dinner time.
Though the only rule on this trip is "no itinerary," it is good to set goals. The drive out of Lake

Tahoe was picturesque. The road quickly turned to desert and we found ourselves in Lovelock, Nevada. Lovelock seemed an appropriate stop since we are on honeymoon #1. We saw a sign for the "Cowpoke Cafe" boasting its famous "Broasted chicken." What is broasted chicken? We will never know. The girl at the counter kindly let us know that the "broaster" was down. So we settled for sandwiches and fresh cut fries with homemade "fry sauce," which is popular here (my guess is thousand island- the base for all secret sauces).
After a detour off of Route 50, the loneliest highway in America, we reached Salt Lake around 9pm and found ourselves at "Squatters," the local brew pub. Still serving food and drink, we again, felt fortunate at our timing and good fortune. Baja tacos, ahi tuna salad and a local beer set us up for the night. With a 6-pack to go for our friend, we were on the road

again. Right before we got back on the highway, we saw "Sconecutters." Since we were at a red light right in front of the 24-hour drive thru, we decided it was fate and pulled up to see what Sconecutters had to offer. It was everything you could imagine, on a scone. Scones used anywhere any grain would be used. I asked the talking box what a "Sconenut" was, "it's like a donut, but a scone." So we took two, one chocolate and one maple. And our kind counter guy was right, it was a pillowy donut, that was a scone. Thank you Utah, yes everything may just be better on a scone.

Driving at night can be very dangerous and interesting. That can be a difficult line to distinguish. I took the post-dinner shift and took my time weaving around the mountains. When you are tired while driving at night, you start to see the things you want to see. I knew it was time to stop when I saw signs that said: "Exit 142 No Services" and thought to myself, "I'll stop there, there are a number of services. I wonder why they abbreviated 'number' to 'no'.?" Shortly after that, and seeing a few things floating across the road, I pulled over quickly and we settled at the Motel 6- parking lot. I drifted to sleep thinking about Obama telling us that we should not define ourselves by our failures, but learn from them. Tonight, I learned that I will not eat a chocolate "sconenut" right before bed again.
Tomorrow we have Boulder, CO in our sights as the east coast draws near.
jb